Classic Plaza Steakhouse That Earns Its Pour
Country Club Plaza · Kansas City · American
Updated June 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 16, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Chaz’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Take Vibe Match and we’ll tell you what to order here.
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Chaz reads like a greatest hits of American fine dining — familiar names, California-forward, and built to reassure rather than surprise. It fits the room: a cozy, upscale spot on the Plaza where the vibe is more anniversary dinner than wine adventure. That's not a knock — it's an honest read of what they're going for.
California dominates, as you'd expect from a list that's held a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 2012 — Caymus, Jordan, Silver Oak, Stag's Leap, Duckhorn, and Opus One form the backbone here. France gets a seat at the table through Louis Jadot Burgundy, which is the lone real nod to old-world depth. Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling sneaks in as a pleasant outlier. What you won't find: natural wine, anything from Spain or Italy, or producers that require explanation — this list is designed for confident ordering, not discovery.
Twelve to twenty options by the glass is a respectable spread, and the $12–$18 range puts it squarely in upscale-casual territory for Kansas City. The pours skew predictably toward California Cabernet and crowd-friendly whites, which makes sense given the steak-heavy menu. Don't expect the glass list to rotate often — this is a set-and-forget operation.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling — $40
At the low end of the bottle range, this is the smartest play on the list — bright acidity and a touch of sweetness cut right through the richness of the lobster bisque or braised short rib. Most tables will reach for Cab; let them.
Louis Jadot Burgundy
In a list built almost entirely around California muscle, Jadot's Burgundy is the quiet outlier that most tables will overlook in favor of the Silver Oak. It's more restrained, more food-friendly, and offers a different dimension entirely — worth seeking out if you want something that doesn't announce itself.
Opus One
Opus One is a fine wine, but restaurant markup on it is reliably punishing — you're paying a significant premium over retail for the name recognition, and at a steakhouse without a dedicated wine team, you're not getting the service experience to justify it. Save Opus One for somewhere that earns it.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon + Prime Steak
Jordan is softer and more elegant than the heavier Napa Cabs on this list, which means it complements a prime steak without steamrolling it. The structure is there to handle the fat, but it doesn't turn dinner into a tannin arm-wrestling match.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Chaz is a reliable, no-surprises wine program that does its job well in a cozy Plaza setting — if you know what you like and it's a California Cab, you're in good hands. Don't come here for a wine education, but do come knowing the classics are solid and the room is worth it.
Crossroads / Westside border (Southwest Boulevard) · Kansas City · Spanish tapas / small plates
La Bodega is the Wild Card Kansas City didn't know it needed — a genuinely Spain-focused wine list with fair pricing and a half-price Monday that should be on everyone's weekly calendar. Send your friends here, especially on a Wednesday when the paella and a Rioja Reserva are waiting.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Columbus Park / Downtown Fringe · Kansas City · Classic Italian-American
Garozzo's is a Kansas City institution, and the wine list knows its lane — Italian classics, middle-of-the-road pricing, and zero pretension. Send a friend here for the Spiedini and a Chianti; just don't send them expecting to discover anything new.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Brookside / East Brookside · Kansas City · Seafood-focused American / Oyster Bar
Earl's Premier is a wild card in the best possible way: a thoughtfully curated, seafood-focused wine list hiding in a Kansas City neighborhood spot. Send your oyster-loving friends here and tell them to start with bubbles.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Country Club Plaza · Kansas City · Seafood / Oyster Bar
Jax KC isn't trying to be a wine destination and doesn't need to be — but the list is smarter than the room might suggest, with a few genuine standouts that reward paying attention. Send a friend here for oysters and Sancerre, and tell them to skip the markups on anything California.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Freight House / Crossroads · Kansas City · Italian
Lidia's is a reliable Italian wine destination with a focused list and real sommelier knowledge behind it — the markups sting on the entry-level bottles, but Wednesday half-price wine night changes the math entirely. If you're going any other night, aim high on the list where the value is better.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
Country Club Plaza · Kansas City · Steakhouse Bar
The Capital Grille bar is a reliable destination if someone else is picking up the tab or you're cherry-picking by the glass. The list is deep and well-managed, but the markup math is hard to ignore when you're the one signing the check.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Occasional
Proper
River Parkway / downtown riverfront · Idaho Falls · American
Copper Rill isn't going to blow anyone's mind, but for a riverfront dinner in Idaho Falls, the wine list is honest, fairly priced, and has at least two or three bottles worth caring about. Send a friend here for the Lan Crianza and the river view — just don't expect anyone behind the bar to geek out with you about it.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Bethesda · Bethesda · American
This is a wine list for people who aren't really thinking about wine, and there's no shame in ordering a cocktail instead. If you're staying at the hotel, grab a glass at the bar and call it a night — just don't expect the list to reward any real attention.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Friendship Heights / Chevy Chase · Bethesda · American
Clyde's isn't a wine destination, but it's not trying to be — and the Monday half-price bottle deal genuinely redeems a list that would otherwise be hard to recommend at full price. Come for the vibe, come back on a Monday.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.